How to Get Rid of Metal Stains in a Swimming Pool

Vitamin C tablets can be used to clean your swimming pool.

Diving into a nice, cool pool provides an escape from the summer heat that many people find enjoyable. Swimming in a dirty pool, however, isn't as appealing. In addition to objects like bugs and leaves falling into your pool, or algae turning the water green, you can find metal stains along the walls of the pool. These orange stains are from rust created when iron is introduced into the pool water, either inside the water itself, or when an iron object is placed into the water. You can remove these stains with ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C.

1

Lower the chlorine level in your pool to between 0 and 2 parts per million. The lower the chlorine level, the less ascorbic acid you need to use to clean the pool. You can wait for the chlorine level to drop naturally, but if time is a factor, you can add sodium thiosulfate to the water, following the manufacturer's instructions.

2

Add an algaecide to the pool water, following the instructions on the packaging regarding the method of application and how much you need for a pool of your size. This prevents algae from growing with the lowered chlorine levels.

3

Rub a vitamin C tablet back-and-forth across small stains to remove them. Continue until the stains are gone.

4

Treat large stains by adding ascorbic acid to the pool water by sprinkling it evenly over the surface of the water. Start by using a 1/2 pound of ascorbic acid per 10,000 gallons of water in the pool.

5

Set the filter on "Circulate" and turn it on. Allow the ascorbic acid to work for a half-hour.

6

Check the pool to see if the stains are gone. If they're still there, add more ascorbic acid, and let the filter circulate the treatment for a half-hour. Repeat this process until the pool is clean.

7

Add a commercial enzyme to the water to prevent the stains from reoccurring.

About the Author

Carson Barrett began writing professionally in 2009. He has been published on various websites. Barrett is currently attending Bucks County Community College, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in sports management.